Country Music Hall of Famer Don Schlitz dead at 73 after sudden illness

Don Schlitz, the country songwriter behind classics like “The Gambler,” has died. He was 73 years old.

The North Carolina native died at a Nashville hospital on Thursday after what the Grand Ole Opry described as a sudden illness. The cause of death was not immediately known.

“We are heartbroken with the news of Don Schlitz’s passing. Don loved his family, his hometown of North Carolina, and most of all, his songs and songwriters. He carried that love into every room, every stage, and every lyric he wrote,” Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement Friday.

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“We shared dinner not long ago, and as we were leaving, Don picked up a guitar and started playing. I will always remember him with a smile and guitar in hand. His legacy lives on through his music and the many artists and writers he inspired. We will miss him greatly.”

Echoing this sentiment, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said: “Don Schlitz’s place as a great songwriter would be secure if he had never written ‘The Gambler,’ or had only written ‘The Gambler.’ “Nashville was richer for his presence but less for his absence.”

Schlitz helped shape the sound and spirit of artists such as Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and The Judds.

Its lyrics sparked hits such as “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “When You Say Nothing at All,” recorded by Keith Whitley and later Alison Krauss.

Schlitz was born in 1952 and grew up in Durham before packing his bags and heading to Nashville.

The country star was later inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame.

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Schlitz, seen with Kenny Rogers, wrote “The Gambler” and many other country hits. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

“Unless I receive this as a representation of my family, mentors, collaborators, supporters and friends, I will never believe that I deserve this,” he said in 2017. “This is the only way I can deal with this.”

His breakthrough moment came with “The Gambler”, which Rogers recorded in 1978; This song not only defined an era, but also expanded country music’s reach into the mainstream.

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Rogers later praised Schlitz, saying: “Don doesn’t just write songs. He writes careers.”

Schlitz went on to write songs for a wide variety of artists, from Tanya Tucker to Mary Chapin Carpenter, and even reunited Rogers with Dolly Parton for “You Can’t Make Old Friends.”

Schlitz died after suffering a sudden illness. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

Despite his behind-the-scenes role, Schlitz remained at the forefront of country music history.

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He was named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year four consecutive years, from 1988 to 1991, and made history as the Opry’s only non-performing songwriter in a century.

Schlitz also wrote songs for Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Alabama. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

He debuted there in 2017 and joined as a member in 2022; It’s a rare honor that underscores his impact far beyond the spotlight. The Opry’s Saturday night show will now pay tribute to his legacy.

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Schlitz is survived by his wife Stacey, his children and grandchildren (daughter Cory Dixon and her husband Matt Dixon, son Pete Schlitz and his wife Christian Webb Schlitz, grandchildren Roman, Gia, Isla and Lilah, brother Brad Schlitz and sister Kathy Hinkley).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.